– Last year, the Rotary Club of Lincoln City approached the Lincoln City Parks and Recreation Dept, with an intriguing idea that originated with Rotary member Barbe Gibson-Jenkins. Barbe had just returned from a road trip, during which she saw a ‘musical instrument’ play area in a public park. She thought Music in the Parks would be a great fit for Lincoln City. The Rotary Club agreed with her, with the goal to make these musical instruments free and accessible to the community. Rotary members then pledged to raise funds for a Musical Instrument playground for Regatta Park.

The Parks Dept. enthusiastically accepted their project proposal, and the Rotary Club spent a year fundraising over $16k to purchase 5 musical instruments for Regatta Park.

With installation completed by Parks Maintenance last week, the new outdoor musical instruments are ready for use, and are already a hit with our community!

To celebrate this community partnership and new park addition, the Rotary Club of Lincoln City and the LC Parks and Recreation Dept will be hosting a “Music in the Parks” dedication ceremony on Sat 8/24, noon at Regatta Park. This ceremony will be part of the OR Children’s Music Festival (OCMF), which is an all-day event at Regatta Park. The OCMF is kicking off this event by introducing their program “Piano.Push.Play”, which is a project that temporarily installs grand pianos in 5 of Lincoln City’s public parks: Regatta Park, 51st St/Taft, Nelscott Deck, Community Center, and the Public Plaza by Bob’s Books.

The Rotary Club of Lincoln City will be dedicating the new musical instruments to the Lincoln City community, with support from the Lincoln City Parks and Recreation Board, LC Chamber of Commerce and Lincoln City City Council.

This event is open to the public – all are invited!

Quotes:

Barbe Jenkins-Gibson, Rotary long-time member and originator of idea:

Members of the Rotary Club of Lincoln City recognize the great benefit of music in all lives. With the “Music in the Parks “ project, our goal is to make musical instruments free and always accessible to both local residents and visitors. We hope they are played, respected, and enjoyed for many, many years.

Jeanne Sprague, Lincoln City Parks and Recreation Director:

We sincerely thank the Rotary Club of Lincoln City for their innovation and support of our public parks and community. What an incredible playground to have in a park! And what an amazing community partnership!

Dave Price, Rotary Past-President:

Swimming off the dock at Regatta Park, I hear the normal sounds of boats, children laughing, and the satisfying splash of paddles into water. Best of all, though, was a new sound – the sound of music, coming down the hill and onto the water, from the Music in the Parks installation. I’m proud of Rotary for adding this new creative outlet for our community – and in such a spectacular setting.

Estle Harlan, Rotary Executive Secretary:

The language of music is universal, and our city’s Regatta Park is such a lovely setting for Rotary-sponsored “Music in the Park.”  A universally appreciated medium in a local setting is very consistent with the objectives of Rotary:  Not only do Rotarians think globally, they act locally!

For more information about Lincoln City Parks and Recreation, visit lincolncityoregon.org/parksandrec.

To learn more about Rotary Club of Lincoln City, visit http://www.lincolncityrotary.org/.